Saudi Arabia names new intelligence chief

Saudi King Abdullah appointed Prince Khalid bin Bandar as head of the Saudi intelligence in a royal decree issued early on Tuesday.

Prince Khalid was relieved from his post as a Deputy Defense Minister on Saturday. He previously served as a Governor of Riyadh province, a position he held since February 2013, Al Arabiya reported.

He is a graduate of the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst, is the first grandson of King Abdel Aziz, the founder of Saudi Arabia.

The prince was a military officer and the commander of the Royal Saudi Land Forces. He was promoted from Lieutenant-General in 2011.

The decree also named Prince Bandar bin Sultan as an advisor and a special envoy of the king with the rank of a minister.
Prince Bandar served as head of intelligence and was relieved form his post in April at his own request.